'twas the night...

Twas the night before Tuesday, when all thro' the corridor

Not a Swede was stirring, not thro' the door.

The presents were placed by the door with care

In hopes that an American elf will soon be there

The Swedes were all peaceful, all warm in their beds

While visions of glögg, danced in their head

And Santa in his boots and I in my hat

Had just settled our brains, for a long winter's nap

When outside the door, arose such a rustle

They sprang from their bed to see what was the hustle

Away to the door, they flew like a flash

Tore open the box and threw up the sash

The powder on the treat like the new fallen snow

Gave the excitement of morning to those next below

When, what to their wondering eyes should appear

But a miniature cookie, and funfetti treats

With a little note, so lively and simple

They knew in a moment an elf had come so quick and nimble

More quick than a ninja the treats they came

As they whispered and whistled  and call'd them by name

"Now! Eat now! Eat now! Chocolate and Funfetti

Nom! Cookie, nom! Nom the chocolate and 'fetti

To the end of the chip, to the top of the chocolate balls!

Now eat away! Eat away! Eat away it all!

As the crumbs leave before the wild sun wakes

When they meet with a note, mounted to the flakes

So up to the dormitory beds, the stomachs so full

With a stomach full of cookies- and the elf too.

And then in a twinkling, they smelled in the kitchen

The sniff and wiff of each chocolate chip

As they drew their heads, and was turning around

Down the hallway the elf came with a bound

All dressed in black from head to foot

And the clothes were all covered with sugar and spice

A bundle of cookies were placed in its hands

And it looked like a farmer opening its land

Its eyes-oh how they twinkled! Its smile how merry!

Its cheeks were like roses and nose like a cherry!

Its little brown hair was drawn up in a bow

And covered with sugar, white as the snow

The bits of chocolate it had in held in its teeth

And the smell encircled its head like a wreath

It had a small face and big round eyes

That lit up when it laughed, like a golden prize

It was short and peppy, a right jolly old elf

And they laughed when they say it, in spite of themselves

A wink of its eye and a twist of the head

Soon gave them the know that they had nothing to dread

It spoke not a word but went straight to work

And filled all the boxes, then turn'd with a skip

And laying its hand below its chin

And giving a nod, smiled and into the kitchen it went

Sprung into its room, to begin its new mission

And away it went, filled with ambition

As they read the note in big letters,

"Merry Christmas to all!

Love your, American Santa"